Takikawa Kamibukuro Lantern Festival 2024 - Cultural Adventure

My family and I attended the 22nd Takikawa Kamibukuro Lantern Festival (たきかわ紙袋ランターンフェスティバル), also known as the Takikawa Paper Bag Lantern Festival, for the first time on February 17, 2024. It was my 838th day in Japan as an ALT under the JET Programme, and this visit became one of the standout memories of our Hokkaido travels. We had seen photos of the festival before, but witnessing it in person was an entirely different experience.

Takikawa Kamibukuro Lantern Festival

Takikawa Kamibukuro Lantern Festival Details

The Takikawa Kamibukuro Lantern Festival is a relatively young event. It began in 2003 and was founded by artist Igarashi Takenobu. The idea behind the festival is simple but heartfelt. Residents come together to craft thousands of handmade paper bag lanterns, each one prepared with care. These lanterns are then lit at the same time for one special winter night. Once everything starts glowing on the snow, the entire area transforms into a peaceful and dreamlike scene.

Takikawa Kamibukuro Lantern Festival 2024 - Takikawa City, Hokkaido Prefecture

Unlike traditional lantern festivals that are tied to religious or historical roots, this festival is centered on community art. It celebrates creativity, cooperation, and the joy of making something beautiful together. Every year, a photo contest is also held, and the winning images become promotional materials for the following year’s festival.

Takikawa Kamibukuro Lantern Festival 2024 Poster

Crowds, Atmosphere, and What to Expect

When we arrived, we found the place filled with both locals and visitors. Families, photographers, and groups of friends were all walking through the lantern-lit paths. We were lucky that we managed to find parking, considering how many people were there.

Photos from the Takikawa Kamibukuro Lantern Festival 2024

The event is held from 5:00 PM to 8:00 PM around Bell Road near JR Takikawa Station. The location is easy to reach and becomes beautifully illuminated once the lanterns are lit. As the sun sets and the snow reflects the warm light, the whole area takes on a calm, storybook-like atmosphere.

Team Nicerio Experiences Takikawa Kamibukuro Lantern Festival 2024

A Festival Worth Adding to Your Hokkaido Winter Trips

What makes the Takikawa Paper Bag Lantern Festival special is how something so simple can become so captivating. Thousands of soft lights on a cold winter night create a gentle and unforgettable experience. If you are traveling through central Hokkaido in winter, this event is worth adding to your itinerary. It is easy to visit, visually incredible, and offers a unique kind of winter charm.

For us, it was one of those evenings that made our journey across Hokkaido even more meaningful.

How to Get to Takikawa Kamibukuro Lantern Festival

From Takikawa Station, simply walk toward Bell Road, where the festival takes place. It is easy to find because most of the passengers getting off the train during the event head in the same direction. You can also spot the kamibukuro lanterns from the station, making the path even easier to follow.